Apparatus for making pottery ware



April 3, 1951 A. J. WAHL 2,547,294

APPARATUS FOR MAKING POTTERY WARE Filed Feb. 13, 1946 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 [NVENIOR Albert J. IVabl.

April 3, 1951 A. J. WAHL 2,547,294

APPARATUS FOR MAKING POTTERY WARE Filed Feb. 13, 1946 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOIZ Albert J Wz/zZ.

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APPARATUS FOR MAKING POTTERY WARE Filed Feb, 13, 1946 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 {q INVENTOR April 1951 A. J. WAHL 2,547,294

APPARATUS FOR MAKING POTTERY WARE Filed Feb. 15, 1946 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 rzvmwrazz Albe J Wit/H.

April 3, 1951 A. J. WAHL 2,547,294

APPARATUS FOR MAKING POTTERY WARE l0 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 13, 1946 April 3, 1951 'A. J. WAHL APPARATUS FOR MAKING POTTERY WARE l0 Sheets$heet 6 Filed Feb 13, 1946 Qmu mm mw INVENTOR Albf J lfbl.

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N ANN $5 AWE April 3,1951 A. J. WAHL APPARATUS FOR MAKING POTTERY WARE l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Feb. 13, 1946 M Ill} *4 x NNN Nux . INVENTOR Alberu J W62.

April 1951 A. J. WAHL R 2,547,294

APPARATUS FOR MAKING POTTERY WARE Filed Feb. 13, 1946 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 III [20 I17 ZZZ 279 INVENTOR A. J. WAHL APPARATUS FOR MAKING POTTERY WARE April 3, 1951 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Feb. 13, 1946 Patented Apr. 3, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR MAKING POTTERY WARE Albert J. Wahl, Pleasant Hills, Pa.,' assignor to Miller Pottery Engineering Company, Swissvale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 13, 1946, Serial No. 647,289

10 Claims. (01. 25-2) This invention relates to apparatus for making potteryware. It has to do particularly with the manufacture of dinnerware from plastic ceramic material, starting with the operation of fabricating the ware and ending with the removal of the ware from the mold.

In, a co-pending application to Robert E. Gould, Serial No. 586,284, filed April 3, 1945, now abandoned, there is disclosed an automatic jiggering machine, and a dryer of the type employing infra-red rays as a heating medium, the two being operated in conjunction with one another for forming and drying respectively, various shapes and forms of potteryware. The automatic jiggering machine mentioned is arranged to fabricate ware on molds which are moved therethrough in a single line, however, in the dryer, the molds are carried through the drying chamber in rows arranged transversely of the direction of travel. In manually transferring molds between the automatic fabricating machine and the dryer, certain difficulties have arisen in connection with properly placing and arranging the molds and also in consistently keeping pace with the uniform fabricating and drying speed in performing mold transferring operations. v p The present invention has to do primarily'with the matter of transferring molds from the auto matic jiggering machine to the dryer conveyor and arrangin the molds in proper position thereon as well as removing the molds from the dryer and arranging them for return feeding to the automatic jiggering machine in a system wherein the molds are carried through the jiggeringmachine in a single line and through the dryer in rows arranged transversely of the direction of travel thereof and wherein all of the operations, including those of fabricating, drying, mold handling and transporting are carried out in fully automatic fashion. An object of this invention to provide a fully coordinated installation including such elements as a ware fabricating machine, dryer, mold conveyor equipment, and mold transferring and handling equipment arranged and operated as an integrated whole for the manufacture of the ware of the class described. g

The fact that mold movements throughout the cycle are carried out mechanically and in automatic fashion without need for manual intervention, gives rise to certain practical advantages. For instance, the operational hazards and inter ruptions', that accompany manual intervention are eliminated. Not only can higher operating speeds be' established, but they can also be maintained because in the latter instance, the human fatigue factor is no longer present. Also, the equipment may be operated at full mold capacity and, if need be, at maximum production capacity. These factors all contribute to an increase in the amount of ware made and a decrease in the cost of production.

Additionally, this invention also contemplates the automatic stripping of the ware from the molds and the automatic handling of molds through this station by machinery co-ordinated with and controlled by the jiggering machine, thereby to make the cycle completely automatic andremove the drawbacks and disadvantages of manual intervention.

In the drawings:

Figures 1 and 2 are top plan and side elevation views respectively of an installation embodying the improvements hereof, some of the parts shown in the plan view being omitted in the elevation, notably the return mold conveyor and pug mill feeder.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the jig'gering machine. V

Figure 4 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 5 is an end view of the jiggering machine showing the feeding station and certain mold transferring and transporting apparatus.

Figure 6 is a sectional elevation through the jiggering machine showing the press station, some parts of the jiggering machine being omitted. V

Figure '7 isa sectional elevation through the jiggering machine showin the mold conveyors and the drive through some parts of the jiggering machine being omitted.

Figure 8 is a detail partly in section and in side elevation part of the jiggering machine mold conveyor drive.

Figure 9 is an end elevation of the jiggering machine showing the apparatus for removing molds from the jiggering machine.

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the transfer apparatus shown in Figure '7.

Figure 11 is a plan viewof apparatus for plac ing molds in the dryer.

Figure 12 is a side elevation of the apparatus of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a plan view of apparatus employed at the exit end of .the dryer to control mold movements therefrom.

Figure 14 is a sideelevation of the apparatus of Figure 13.

, Figure 15 is a plan view of apparatus employed to transfer molds to the return conveyor associated with the jiggering machine.

Figure 16 is a side elevation of the apparatus of Figure 15.

Figure 17 is an end view of the apparatus of Figure 15.

Figure 18 is a perspective View, with some of.

the partsinsection of part of thesapparatusof Figure 15.

Figure 19 is a perspective view showing a trans 1.

Figure 23 is a plan view showing some.-.of,-thei control mechanism.

Figure 24 is a side elevation of the apparatus of'Figure23;

Figure25 is. a piping and Wiringdi'agram" illustrating how, some parts of'the machinery *are":

electrically pneumaticallycontrolled.

Figure 26. is a. detail illustrating a drive. QUIT-- nectiombetween' two of" the. mold conveyors.

With reference toFigures landZ, [designates an. automatic. J'iggering. machine 1and'j2 a dryer' ofthetype having a wide, flat conveyor 3 running,

fromendto. end of the. dryer housingpreferably in a,. horizontal. plane. The; molds 4 onwhich. the-.wareis. made arecarried through the fabri'oating machine in si'ngle file. and through the. dryen in. transverse, parallel; rows; They are charged with clay at statioInA, the clay preseif out and bonded to the molds at station E; the clay, jiggeredaor, profiledlat station. 0' afterwhich themoldgarecarried out to. the right; to a trans. fer. statiornD, where they'are. placed on a conveyor. andlcarried to-the-dryer. Station E at the" entrance. end. of, the dryer. is where the molds: are removed from conveyor 5. andplaced on the dryer conveyor. 3;. these. operationsibeing performed automatically by mechanism to be'hereinafter described .inidetail- At theexit. end' F of. the dryer; the rowsof molds. are.unload'edj automatically and; placed 1 in singlefile on. a. conveyor. '6 which carries them to .station.G.-where they are transferred. to a conveyor, 7'. At. station H. adjacent conveyor Lthe. ware is, automatically. stripped from the molds and at station J, the molds are automatically cleaned of .crackedor brokernware or piecesln'ot removed. ateH- The mold'sare. carried in single file-on. conveyor. 5 to. a. transfer pointlK. from whence they are returnedtothe mold: charging. station A,, to: complete.- the cycle; which. is, fully automatic throughout? Clay is preferably fed to therjiggering machine A automatically. Whil'ezthereare: several types of automatic feeder: whichimaybeused;.l prefer 'to employ a feederrsuchas that: disclosediin my copending applicationserial him-571E444; filed February 14 1945 now- Patent No. 2,494,112.. Said feeder-is not shown in detail-herein, however it comprises generally, a power driven pug milli-B; Figure 1 whose extrusion is delivered-by a pipe 3. Figure 5 to station A to be severed into'slice's' that are deposited on molds therebelow by a mechanically operated cutter Hi.

It will sufficehere to saythat the operation of the pug mill and slicer is automaticand iscontrolledby a. timer H associated with the fabri eating machine Figure 3} to cut oif'and deliver slices of clay of uniform volume to molds therebelow at the charging station.

The molds 4, are arranged in single file and in predetermined spaced relation on conveyor 1 which comprises a flat top conveyor chain, Figure 3. They are delivered one at a time into a movabletransfer fork [8,..Figure. 8.,.which operates, between stations K and A. Saiditi'ansfer fork receives a mold 4 through the open end and lifts and carries the mold from one station to another by engaging it underneath the brim. The fork is mountedon a frame l9, Figure 5, carried by. a-pair.ofspacedparallel posts 26 and 2i pivotedat their:lo.wer;ends to the machine frame Another mold.- fork 23 is attached to the frame for carrying molds between station A and a transfer point 'L (Figure 1) just ahead of statiorhBz The posts 20 and 2! are moved in one direction by a cam 24 on main cam shaft 25 driven by motor 55, and gear drive I6, Figures 3 .and'.4.. A. return spring 28 is provided to movethe. posts inv the other direction, and they'are'x guided in their back and'iforth movement'by roll'- ers..2.i.which rolllin a horizontal guideway 28'.

Fork l8 carries a mold from the conveyorlto' a.position directly over. a hollow ring chuck 29, smaller; in diameter than the fork l3 so as to. pass therethrough. Said ring chuck is supported" in an offset position ona post 333', Figure 6; socketed in the press cros'shead 31. in rea of" the chuck. The, press crosshead' 3|, Figure 4'. is: raisedl-andloweredon guides 32"bya' cam 33'fixed oncamshaftifi and spacedifrom cam 35. Thus whenchucklais, e-levated,.the tang of the moldv seats in the ring. chuck. 2.9, and it is lifted" from the fork. I8 where it is supported onthebrim; and is. carried. upwardly tothe feeding position coincidentlyiwiththe cutting off ofja slice, ofclay;

After the. mold has been. charged. with, clay, thechuck. 291's lowered. by cam.33,into theother' fork. 2.3- of. thetransfer, Figures 3 and 5; which. hasbeen. moved to. the. right by cam, during the interval when the-charge. of. clay was. being cutoff and deposited: on the mold... When the. transfer. again moves to the.lef.t, the. charged mold is carried to a position directly over. another ring. chuck 3'5 mounted on a. post H- carried bycrosshead 3i.

Asbest seen.in..Figures 3, 4 and 6,.chuck 3.6L lifts the mold out of fork 23 and. holds it in raised position untilthe fork 23 again moves to the. right; andr-the left end seat 31 of a. multiple seat, longife tudinally divided, horizontally reciprocable transfor 38,- slides on rollers.39 into position therebelow. Transfer. 3B.is@moved. back and forth by a drumcam 40, once. every revolution .oflmaincam. shaft, 25. When. seat 3 1 is underneath chuck. 316, the :chuck isdroppedby. cam 33 through theseat and thisdepositsthemold 4 by the brimonthe seat 31. Upon the next movementof transfer. 38;. the mold. is carried. tostation. Blwhere the transfer. halts momentarily while. the moldv is. lifted from below by amoldlifter or presschuck 4i on'crosshead. 3i. elevated by cam 33. .The charge ofmaterial onthemold is pressed against a heated, contoured. diev I 2 to spread the material over the molding surface. of the mold and preparethe materialfor. jiggering. During the inter-val while. theclay is being pressed out, transfer 38,,.is moved to the left to. bring the center seat 43' below press chuckAi. Chuck 4| is then lowered to deposit. the mold in this center seat. andthetransfer' thereafteris moved to the right to carry, the mold to station (1. At this station the center seat 43" dwells over a vertica'lly'mov able mold lifter or jigger chuck M on crosshead l3 sliding on columns l4 which is elevated by igger cam 45 on shaft 25 to raise the mold out of the seat and lift it up to the stationary profile tool 46. The jigger chuck 44 is rotated by motor 4! and associated drive l5 as the mold is raised off the transfer thereby to rotate the mold and jigger the ware by relative rotation between the profile tool and clay.

While the ware is being jiggered, the transfer 38 moves to the left and stops with the right end mold seat 48 below the elevated jigger chuck 44 which then lowers to deposit the mold with the freshly formed ware thereon in seat 43. The transfer then shifts to the right to carry the mold in seat 48 over a mold lifter 49 which is raised by cam 55 on shaft 25 and is operable to lift the mold up off the transfer and when the transfer again moves to the left, to set the mold down on a flat top conveyor chain 5! (Figures 1, 3

and 4). I

Conveyors 5! and l are similar in construction and are driven in unison and in timed relation with each other and with the mold transfer 38. Said conveyors are moved intermittently by mechanism to be hereinafter described having upstanding lugs 52, Figure 3, fastened at predetermined spaced intervals to the top plates of both chains. The center to center spacing of these lugs represents substantially the distance each conveyor travels each machine cycle and the molds are set on the conveyors. between these lugs.

' A Geneva drive is provided to move conveyors 5i and I. Said drive comprises a disc 53, Figure 7, fixed on cam shaft 25 having a roller 54 which enters one of the slots 55 of Geneva gear 56 each revolution of the cam shaft. Geneva gear 55 is fixed on a shaft 5'! journaled in the machine frame which has a gear 58, Figure 8, secured thereto for driving a pinion 59 on sprocket shaft 60. Sprocket 6| on shaft E8 drives sprocket 62 on shaft 63 by means of sprocket chain 64. Gear 65 on sprocket shaft 63 meshes with and drives gear 66 on sprocket shaft tl which has a sprocket 68 th reon to which conveyor chain 1 is attached.

To drive conveyor 5 I, chain 64 is also connected to a sprocket 59 on cross shaft it, Figures 3 and 7, mountedon bearings on top of the machine frame; and another sprocket ll, secured to this shaft, drives conveyor 5|. The rear end of con veyor 5! is supported on sprocket shaft 13 mounted on bearings M at the rear end of the machine frame.

As best shown in Figures 3, 7 andll, the molds are transferred at station D from conveyor 5! to conveyor 5 positioned at right angles thereto adjacent the end thereof and extending across in front of a gravity conveyor formed of a plurality of tubular rollers leading to the dryer conveyor 3. Conveyor 5 comprises a belt supported between rollers 15 and Ti. Roller 15 is fixed on a shaft is having a gear 8! mounted thereon. This gear is driven by a gear $9 mounted on a shaft 82 having a sprocket B3 thereon driven by chain 84 which is intermittently drive by sprocket 85 on cross shaft lei To transfer molds from conveyor 5| to conveyor 5, a pusher B5 is provided, Figures 3, 9 and 10. This apparatus comprises a vertical pusher plate 8'! faced with resilient material so as not to damage the molds, supported by a horizontally rearwardly extending bar 88 rigidly secured to the top of a'post 89. Post 89 is attached to a block 90 secured to a tubular slide SI supported by and reciprocable in a pair of spaced, aligned tubular guides 92 supported from the machine frame, by brackets 14. This arrangement insures of straight line, guided back and forth movement for the pusher plate 3?. An outrigger '18 secured to slide 9! and having a roller 'eiia running in a track E827 secured to the side of the machine, prevents angular movement of the pusher Bl. Bumpers 'itc cushion the stroke of slide 9! The pusher is actuated by apparatus comprising a link 93 pivoted at the back of plate 81 pivotally connected to the top of post 94, Figures 4 and 9. Post s4 is clamped at the lower end to a shaft 95 running lengthwise along the base of the machine and mounted in suitable bearings. Said shaft has a post 96 welded thereto and this 'post is clamped to angularly movable post 2| by The machine hereof is arranged to make one size or type of ware at a time. This comprehends the use of molds of uniform specifications for a given type of ware, however the production may be changed from one size of ware to another by making certain adjustments to be hereinafter set forth. Assuming, for the sake of' explanation, that the machine is set up for small flatware employing molds having an overall diameter of 6 or 7 inches, and that five molds of this size may be accommodated in'closed up relation transversely of conveyor belt 3, then the amount of travel of conveyor 5 each machine cycle Will be sufficient only to provide the desired closed up relationship of the molds. When the production is changed to molds of larger or smaller size some adJustment may be required in the amount and speed of travel of conveyor 5, however, this can easily be accomplished by changing the ratio of gears 8d and 8!.

After a row of molds has been assembled on conveyor 5, they are pushed, as a row, across gravity conveyor 75 onto conveyor 3, Figures 1 and 11. The pusher apparatus employed for this operation comprises an elongated blade 93 having a resilient facing $5 to avoid damage to the molds: This blade is located above the level of the top of conveyor 5 and is centrally supported by a piston rod' 563. Piston rod I08 forms a part of an air cylinder assembly i3! rigidly sup ported by a frame 982. To prevent angular move: mentof the blade, a slide bar 533 is secured to the back thereof and this bar is received in a dovetail groove M4 in an extension of the cylinder head casing I65:

Conveyor 3 is preferably a metal mesh belt carried by rolls 5% and R38, Figure 2, at opposite ends of thedryer with such intermediate rolls or supporting means as may be required to prevent the belt from sagging and to insure smooth operation thereof. The belt operates in a drying chamber 599 heated by preferably employing a combination of infra-red heat lamps 158a, and forced, heated air to dry and release the clay from the molds. The-molds are conveyed therethrough in rows arranged transversely of the'belt changed by substituting-sprockets of different size for- -sproc k et Ii2.- ShaftI-Itis journaledin the dryerframe-andextends, across on the near side of the-dryer to atimer I-M- where it is connected by abevel-gea-r H5 toadrive pinion I It on drive;

shaft I,I'I inside the casing, Shaft iiiflis coupled todrive sha ft IQI'I which-extends forwardly along; side-thedryer-frame I (Figure l) tothef abricating machine where-it may either be coupleddi rectly'to cam shaftZE- EigureQ, or-if shaft II'I operates ata lower or higher level than shaft25,

duerto differences in level of the fabricating ma chine and dryer, shaft II? may be connected by. a; one to'one sprocket and-chain drive M8 to cam-shaftZE.

Asthe rows" of molds leave the exit end of the dryer, they pitch forwardover the crown of the roll and then roll downwardly onto a small diameter roller H9, Figures 13 and 14:, journaled in a roller. frame [2E3 on frame I3! havingl s-everal larger diameter gravity rolls. I2I mounted thereon, the frame being inclined-downwardly. at substantially to the horizontal. The lead roll I22 of this group of larger rollers and roll H.9-

are both driven. at thesame peripheral speed and at a speed in exces of the speed, of conveyor tree as to separate the rows of molds a they leave theidryefr. To drive rollers I I9 and H2, 2. sprocket I24, Figure 23., is mounted on shaft I23 and con nected to chain IIi. On shaft I23 is secured a sprocket I26 connected by chain I27, to sprocket I28, Figure 13 on the endof roller I I9. A smaller sprocket I29mounted on shaft H23 is connected by chain I39 to sprocket ISI for driving roller I22. The desired peripheral speed of rollers I22, and H9 can be obtained by employing sprockets of proper diameter.

At the lower end of'rollerframe i253, Figures 1. and 14', is a rubber faced, vertically movable stop or, bumper plate I34 extending the full widthof the frame and the purpose of this bumper plate is to; arrest the downward movement of a row ofmolds across the gravity conveyor for a predetermined interval until the preceeding row of molds has been carried away by conveyor 6, and

then, to release the row of molds for movement over gravity conveyor I32 on frame I3! onto conv'eyor 5. Said stop member I35- is secured to a swing-able frame 535; pivotedon a cross shaft I36, tothemain frame I37. Air'cy1inder-I38; which is pivotally connected tothe lower side of frame I3 has a piston rod I33 pivotally connected toframe E35, below the stop member I34, the purpose of this air cylinder assembly being to raise the stop member at a predetermined time in the cycle of operations. The weight of the frame and stop member are depended upon to lower the stop member when the air cylinder is vented. The mold engaging side of stop member 534 is covered with resilient material.

When stop member I34 is lowered below thetop ofthelower end roller I2I, the row of molds will-roll down gravity conveyor I32,v however; the mom ntumrm ynot. be sufiicient u a hemto; reachpr n ly;s at dpos t on c nvev r; It To positively n ure that a h ow fv mold d es avoiddamageto the molds. Said blade-is bolts A ing I41.

to -a piston 11051,! idforminga partof an adjustab .1 stroke air cylinder assembly,

'Ifhe'rear endof the cylinder casing I' II-is piy d otally connected to a rod I43 attachedto a-,tub u;

; lar bearing M2 sleeved on rod I42 held between opposed clampsfastened to the frameISI. Th blade-is raisedandlowered by air cylinder- I441 pivoted at- I45 on frame 53? and whose piston rod I45 ispivotally connected to thecylinder c a sv A counterbalancing spring I4]. isan; chored to frame I31 andconnected to a channel; I48. secured to-bearing-ML To prevent angular-- movement of the blade I39 on the axis, of rod; I48, a pair ofguidebars I23 are attached'tothe; top of the blade and they extend rearwardlybe-u neath a pair of stationary guide plates I232 sup-i ported from the rear cylinder head I23a.

Conveyor It comprises ajnarrow width beltisup ported by rollers M9 and IE5 carried by elon}. gatedframe Edi, Figureilimountsd 0n brackets, Him boltedto the top offrame I31; Along one sideof the frame is a rubber surfaced backstop. I5Ib adjustably mounted on supportbars. I5Ic. welded to the side of frame 556'. This member; is instrumental in properly. aligning. molds on conveyor 5 and alsoin preventing them from fall;-v ing or being pulled off conveyor ii. Roller I23, Figur 26, is fixed on shaft 552 which has a gear;- IESthereondriven by gear 554,021 shaft I55.v Shaft I55;has a sprocket isdfixedthereon driven by a; chain E51 and a sprocket I59 on. shaft. I6 0 on; which therear sprocket IBI for conveyor I, is mounted and from which shaft I66 derives mo tion. Bothconveyors are intermittently movedby: geneva 53, Figure 7.

The discharge end of conveyor 6 is located at station G,Figures 1 and 1.9,where molds are trans-- ferred from it to conveyor I, which operates at, right angles thereto. The apparatus, for transferring molds from conveyor-6 toconveyor I com prises an arcua-te moldengagingmember I62, Figures l5 and 16 faced with resilient material haying a tubular clamp E53 sleeved on a pipe I64 welded to avertical support I6 5. Said support I65,

' is. fixed to a. horizontal piston rod I66 and. the

lower end thereof is provided with an anti-friction roller I69 which rolls between guides. I 5: and IE8, Figure 17, formedas part of a supporting framewhich includes a pair of spaced vertical end posts I! and IN, joined together by crossmem ber I'i2for stability.

Saidpiston'rod forms part of an air cylinder. assembly having an air'cylinder H3 supported bya rectangular frame section !,I4- which is joined as by welding to the posts ill) and. Ill. The air cylinder is; secured tothis frame sec-. tion by bolts H5 and the framerests on and is fixed to a plurality of small posts I16 secured to a plate I'll, Figure 18. Plate I'M has a pair of spaced, longitudinal slots I18 and rests on a horizontal bar We secured to the top of a shaf-tliit supported-in a hollow post Idi in which the shaft may turn. Attached to the hollowv post i8I is a plat I32 having an arcuate slot [8t therein and plate I]? is connected, to plate 52 by a bolt i which passes throughv slots I13 and IE4, bar I33, being notched Qut; at tile; to; p rm-it the. b lt. to. pas tberet r iiebi. 1: s; me ely a. spacer; mplo ed. for-lev ling bur.-

' n ses;- o t 89 pass s'thr us the t er.v slo projecting from the end opposite the piston rod I66. This member controls the length of the stroke of piston rod I66 and hence the length of the stroke of pusher member I66.

the end offrame I63 determines the outward limit of adjustment of member I90. c

When large diameter molds are arranged in closed up or touching relation in transverse. rows on conveyor 3, the center to center spacing between said molds is greater than that which would normally occur as between smaller m'olds. The molds are received on conveyor 6 with scarcely any disturbance of their center. to center spacing and when a given group are moved in single file to transfer station G, each mold will stop at substantially the same transfer point relative to the longitudinal centerline of conveyor 1.

varies. For example, the transfer point for large molds may be beyond the longitudinal centerline of conveyor 1 Whereas the transfer point for smaller molds may occur on or on the opposite side of the longitudinal centerline mentioned, Figure 19.

It is desired to transfer each mold from conveyor 6 to a position in the center laterally of conveyor 1 and between two of the chain lugs 52, preferably with the mold base in close proximity to the rear lug so as to minimize relative movement between the mold and conveyor when the mold enters transfer fork I8 thereby reducing wear on the mold bottom. Ample space is allowed between chain lugs to accommodate molds of both large and small base diameter.

The transfer movement of a mold from the transfer point on conveyor 6 to its position on conveyor 1, Figure 19, is along a radial line leading to a predetermined point on the longitudinal centerline of conveyor 1. Thus, the apparatus provided for transferring molds from conveyor 6 to conveyor 1 is arranged to push the molds, one at a time, along a line radial to the selected center point and the apparatus is angularly adjustable with respect to the point thereby to compensate for variations in the transfer point on conveyor 6 due to differences in the spacing and diameter of the molds.

In transferring molds from conveyor 6 to conveyor 1, Figure 19, they are pushed, one at a time across a stepped platehaving an upper surface level 266 flush with the top of conveyor 6 and a lower surface level 2660. substantially flush with the top of conveyor 1. The plate is centrally slotted as at 251 so as to straddle con- I veyor 1 and avoid interference with chain lugs The intermittent movement of conveyor 1 is preferably so regulated that each chain lug 52 will stop in rear of the lower surface level 200a, in position to engage and slide the mold off the lower surface 206a upon movement of the'conveyor. Said transfer plate is fixed to the side of the frame for conveyor 6.

Air cylinder I13. is provided with a stroke adjusting member I63 An ad-. justable screw I9I set in a cross member I92 at' This transfer point however will vary as the center to center spacing of the molds At station H, were is automaticallyremoved from the molds. The apparatus for accomplishing this comprises a vacuum chuck 2115, Figures 20, 21, and 22, attached to a hollow rod 206 supported by a holder 261. A hose 208 is connected to rod 266 and to a valve 209 connected to a source of vacuum (not shown). Said valve is operated by a cam 2K3 on shaft 2II driven by a chain drive 2l3 connected to a main drive shaft I I1. Holder 261 is supported by an upright post 2I5 whose lower end is received in a socket 2I6. The post is turned by a cam 2I1 on shaft 2 and a cam follower 2I1 secured to the post, to move the vacuum chuck between transfer points and to carry the ware over to conveyor 2I8 which carries it to the finishing station, not shown.

As each mold enters station H, a mold lifter 226, formed with lifting bars 22I straddling the conveyor so as to engage the mold beneath the brim, is raised by cam 222 on shaft 2H thereby to raise the mold .up and engage the Ware with the vacuum chuck 265. I

Should the were be cracked or if for some other reason, th transfer apparatus fails to remove the ware from the mold, apparatus is provided at station J for blowing it from the molds into a receiver 223. This apparatus is sometimes called a stripper or it may be referred to as mould cleaning or ware stripping apparatus, or mechanism. Said apparatus comprises a high pressure jet 224, adjustable for height on a stand 225 located opposite the receiver 223. This jet is controlled by a magnetic valve 226 operated 'by a photo-electric relay whose light source 228 is arranged to project a light beam across the top of the mold to a receiver 221. When the light beam is interrupted by a piece of ware, the

magnetic valve is automatically actuated to cause a jet of air to strike from the ware and blow it from the mold into the receiver.

From station J, the empty molds are returned on conveyor 1 to the transfer fork 23 which picks them up'one at a time and carries them to the feeding station to complete the cycle.

. A timer II4, Figures 23 and 24 is provided to co-ordinate the operations of mold pushers 81,

98 and I62, mold puller I39 and stop member Me with each other and with the otheroperating parts of the machinery. Said timer comprises a timer shaft 236, which is coupled direct to drive shaft II1. There are three discs, 23I, 232 and 233 secured to shaft II! and each disc has an adjustable cam segment bolted thereto. These segment cams are 234, 235 and 236 respec tively. Cam 234, operates the control lever 231 of electrical switch 238, connected by circuit wire 239 with a four-way electrically operated air valve 266, Figure 25, whose function it is to control the operation of air cylinder IEI and pusher 98. Cam 235 operates the control lever 24I of electrical switch 242, connected by circuit wire 233 with a four-way electrically operated air valve 244 whose function it is to control the operation of ,air cylinder I38 which raises and lowers the stop member I354, and the operation of air cylinder I43 which controls the raising of air cylinder MI. Cam 236 operates the control lever 245 of electrical switch 246 connected by circuit wire 241 with a four-way electrically operated air valve 248 Whose function is to control the operation of air cylinder I4I which moves the mold puller I39.

A main air supply line 243 is connected by branch pipe 250 to the inlet side of air operated valve 246 from which a flexible hose 25I leads to one side of airfcylinder NH and a flexible hose 252 lead s tq the other side of the cylinder. 253 isa vent pipe. Branch pipe 254 .leads from the rnair 1 air supply line to electrically operated air .yalve 244. I his valve is connected by conduit 255 with one side of air cylinder I38 and by conduit .256 with the other side of said cylinder. Iis a vent pipe. Inasmuch as air under pressure is employed only to raise air cylinder I4I, 1Ffigure l4 this operation is also controlled by air valve 244 and to this end, a branch conduit 25B {is connected tq conduit 25S and to air cylinder I4I. Branch pipe 2519 leads from main air supply -line 248 to electrically operated air valve 248 "and to thisvalve are connected air lines 260 and 25L 262 is a ventpip'e. a In the drawings, Figure 'l, the molds are illustrated as being arranged in rows containing five molds each on dryerconveyor 3. This number of course may be changeddepending on the diam- ;eter of the molds it-being clearly obvious that if larger diameter molds are employedthe number in a row may have to .be'reducedYto four or less or if smaller diameter molds are employed, the number may be increased tois'ix or'more. 3 With the mold arrangement shown, air cylinder J I (ll should be operated to cause pusher'98 to shove arowof five inold'sofibf conveyor '5 onto conveyor} after every fifth revolution of main cam- "shaft 25. At the discharge end of the dryer, the stop member Ii i and the mold puller I are also :operated on a one'tio five ratio with relation to the main camshaftZE and therefore it is necessary that .air valves 24!), 244 and 248 operate only once during five revolutions of timer shaft, 230. In order tofacoompli'sh this, timer shaft 230 hasa sprocket 263 mounted thereon connected by chain .264 with a sprocket 265 on shaftjZBfi. On shaft 265 are fixed'twoldi's'cs 267 and 268, eachhaving an adjustable segment cam 269 and 219 fiiied thereon. Ca 269 operates the lever 2' or switch 272 some ed by circuit fwire '213, Figure "25, with switch 238 and is operable to close the circuit" to s'witch238every fifth revolu- I v tion jofftimershaftl I II. 'Cam 2T0 operates the leverl'lfljof switch 215 connected by circuit wire ,1 215, to wire" 2 ITeonnectingf switches 242 and 2'46 j ftdfclose the circuit to switches? and 246 every fifth revolution of timer "shaft H1. The length ,ipftimefthe"circuit fremain closed depends upon' "the length of earns 269; and 219. t

When' the'nuinbier of molds in a dryer rowis ialnged from, say for instance, five to'six, then shaft 2 66' should turn'on'ce in every six revolutions '.ofshaft 25. If the numberis changed to seven, itheratio shouldbe seven'to' one"andso on. To change'theratio, shaft 236'may have fixed'thereon e or more additional'sp'rockets 218, of "different q id into p laceby 'the simple expedient' of'loo'senf1 g set screws and disconnecting the sprocket chain. Avsp ring pressed idler 279 can be emiployed fto automatically take up any additional eter if j loaded to capacity.

ameter and'nurnber ofteeth, which can be H "slab-lg occasioned 'by' thesubstitution iof sprockets.

{During the'operation, neither shaft 256 or shaft :230ishou1d be rotated lest the angular adjust- ,tneht'off the two sets of cams'become disturbed. ffiy means of calibrated dials 288 and 2B! fixed on "shaftsjZQS and'23flrespectively, the possibility,

"oftiming"errorsi'of this nature may be avoided. 'Air'cylinder I13, which moves" the mold pusher jfI 62';'is"controlled bya fdisc 282 fixed on shaft 230 j avingspaced concentric circles of holes therein in which afpin 283fis received in the outer row,.

erate after five'molds haveibeenjmoved to a porow of holes. These pins areadaptedto move a lever 285, for operating avalveffliiiback a'rid forth. As the di's'c revolves, pm 283 will strike a roller 28? mounted on'the'end of lever ZBB-a'rid tvill shift the lever in one direction. Pin 284 will strike the roller on the other side and shift the lever in the opposite direction. Changes in the timing of valve operation may be accomplished by repositioning the pins. Valve 2861s "speeds may be employed, the productionspeed 'of the jiggering machine may be 'in creasediov'er the production speed normally employed for larger diameter'tvare'requiringa longer interval of time for jiggering. Within these two categories there may be however several shapes and sizes of warerepreienting 'mold diameters that vary over aconsiderable'range. To take anexample, a large dinner plate may require a mold having an overalldiameter' of 12 /2 inches, whereas, a salad plate may require a moldhavingan "overalldiaineterfof only 10 inchesyet, both may be advantageously jigg'ered at'the same speed and the output per given interval 'of time may be the same" for both.

The -jiggering machine and smoldpushersffl and I62 operate at' the same speed. Thusifthe production speed ofthe jiggring machine ,is increased; or n decreased, the "periodicityfof the o peration of pushers 8'I"a nd'I62" are liliewi's'efincreased -or decreased a corresponding amount.

date 'a given number ofmol'ds of 'one diameter and different 7 number of mem er 2 another diamw I 7 TheWidthiifthe dryer conveyor, being a' constant, will acenimodate a rowof molds containing a givennuinber of one diameter and a greater or lesser number of another diameter, as the case maybe; The lineal speed of travel ofconveyor eaa'y'newever be varied.

In; a case where the production is changed ifrom a smaller diameter item to a larger diameter i't em .involvinsthe use-bf arger diameter moldsfthe number; of molds to be 7 accommodated in a'isingle row on conveyor 3imay be reduced sa'y lfor example, from seven tofivaand byvi'rtue' of'the larger diameter of; the molds, a greater center to center spacing of molds; on conveyor 5 and mold rows on conveyor Symay be necessary. Assuming that the production-speed of -the jiggering niachineis not to be altered, then t'he'ainount of intermittent lineal travel'of: conveyor 5 -isi-ncreased by substituting -a sprocket of" proper diameter to give the des'ired t'ravel, 'for sp'ro'cliet 8!], Figure 11.

When reducing the number of molds 'in a'row from seven to five, the pusher 98 is timed to opsiti'on' iniront of the'blade or" after'every' fifth of 'holes and a"pin"284 is received'in the inner tion of this 'pus'her'has alreadybeen explained,

gravity conveyor IZI takes place.

13 however, let it suffice to say that the sprocket chain 264 is shifted to the proper sprocket on shaft 266 to give the desired periodicity and such adjustment as may be necessary ismade in the position of .cams 2H and 23! on their respective discs if a change in the time of operation of the pusher within the cycle is indicated.

If the lineal speed of travel of conveyor 3 per given interval of time to be changed, a sprocket of proper diameter to give the desired amount of travel is substituted for sprocket H2. Said conveyor is driven continuously by the fabricating machine and therefore, the adjustment would involve either slowing down or accelerating the speed of travel of the conveyor. number of molds per row because of an increase 'in the diameter of the molds being placed in service, the lineal speed of travel of the conveyor In reducing the may be increased depending upon the time cycle of the pusher 98. For example,if the production speed of the jiggering machine is twenty pieces of ware (molds) per minute and the production is being made on 10 inch overall diameter molds assembled in rows of seven each on the dryer conveyor 3, the lineal travel of the conveyor per minute, allowing an 11 inch center to center spacing of mold rows, would be approximately 33 inches, however, if the production is changed to ware requiring a mold of .12 inch overall diameter arranged in rows of five each, then the lineal travel of conveyor 3 per minute,

allowing a 13 inch center to center spacing be- Theretween rows would amount to 65 inches. fore, a reduction in the number of molds per row resulting in increased spacing between mold rows may require a higher speed of travel of the dryer conveyor.

The rate of delivery of consecutive rows of molds to dryer conveyor 3 and the rate of discharge of successive rows ofmolds therefrom is substantially uniform. That is to say, for a given size of mold, the delivery and discharge may occur at ten second intervals and for another size, at fifteen second intervals. etc. This does not mean, however, that the delivery operation and the discharge operation necessarily ocf'cur' at the same instant. As a matter of fact, the cycle of operations involved in accumulating a row of molds and placing the same onthe dryer conveyor, may be consummated before or after the operation of discharging a row of molds to This, however, does not interfere with the reliable delivery of the molds to conveyor which is driven in timed relation withconveyor 1 that returns molds in predetermined spaced relation to the fabricating machine. 7 4 The elevatable barrier I34 guards the approach to conveyor 6 and is not lowereduntil conveyor 6 has been moved a requisite number of times to transport the molds of a preceding row away from the molding zone of said conveyor. The mold puller I39 operates in timed relation with conveyor 6 and is caused to be projected over gravity conveyor HI and lowered behinda row of molds held at the barrier at or about the time the last mold of the preceding row is being removed from the loading zone onto conveyor 6, -The barrier H34 is dropped as conveyor 6 comes to rest and the mold puller I39 is then actuated to pull the molds onto conveyor 6 while the conveyor is stationary. The mold puller is then raised out of contact with the row of molds and they are then carried by conveyor 6 to the transfer point G where mold pusher I62, whichoperates in timed relation with conveyor 1, transfers them one at a time thereto. The amount of intermittent travel of conveyor 6 may be changed 'by substituting sprockets of the desired diameter for sprocket 56. The amount of intermittent travel imparted to conveyor 6 is the same as that imparted to conveyor 5 and when changes are made in the amount of travel of one conveyor, the same change is made with respect to the other.

With regard to conveyor 1, it will be understood that the spacing between chain lugs 52 is sufficient to accommodate the maximum diameter mold base employed of. the several mold sizes which may be used with the apparatus. While it is detrimental to the bases of the molds to slide them over the surface of the fiat top chain l, a small amount of relative movement may occur, however, it is preferred to load molds on this conveyor in an off-center position relative to two consecutive chain lugs with the mold base in close adjacency to the rearmost of two consecutive lugs. Thus, when the mold moves into transfer fork [1, there is a relatively small amount of slippage between the mold and conveyor.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for making dinnerware comprising an automatic fabricating machine adapted to feed clay to molds delivered thereto and fabricate the clay thereon, said molds being carried in series through the machine, a dryer for drying fabricated ware having a fiat surfaced wide conveyor extending therethrough, a transfer conveyor extending transversely of said dryer near its entrance end, means for transferring said molds from said machine to said transfer conveyor, said transfer conveyor carrying said molds across the entrance end of the dryer for forming a row of molds extending transversely of said end, mold pushing means periodically reciprocable in the direction of the travel of said dryer conveyor for engaging each row so formed on said transfer conveyor and moving that row onto said dryer conveyor whereby said molds are carried. through the dryer in rows arranged transversely ranged in a row on said transfer conveyor, a mold return conveyor leading from a mold-receiving position near the discharge end of said dryer conveyor to a mold-delivery position near said fabricating machine, a second transfer conveyor extending laterally from said dryer conveyor for delivering said molds from the dryer conveyor to a position near said mold-receiving end of said return conveyor, a second mold-pushing means periodically reciprocable toward said mold-receiving end of the return conveyor for engaging said delivered molds and loading them in series on said return conveyor, and automatically operable means disposed near said mold delivery end of the return conveyor for returning empty molds to said fabricating machine.

'2. Apparatus for making dinnerware comprising an automatic fabricating machine adapted to feed clay to molds delivered thereto and fabricate the clay thereon, said molds being carried in series through the machine, a dryer for drying fabricated ware having a flat surfaced wide conveyor extending th'erethrough, a transfer conveyor extending transversely of said dryer near its en the dryer in rows arranged transversely of the;

.dryerconveyor, means for adjusting the frequency :of the reciprocation of said pushing." means so as to effect actuation of the. pushing.;means:after-:a predetermined number of molds are arranged in a 'row on said transfericonveyor,amoldreturn conveyor leading from a mold-.receivingp tionnear the discharge end of said-dryer conveyor to mold-delivery position near said fabricating machine, a-second transfer conveyor extendingzlaterally from said dryer conveyor for deliveringsaid molds from the dryer conveyor to a position near said mold-receiving end of said return conrveyor, a second mold-pushing means periodically reciprocable toward said *mold-receiving end of the .returnconveyor .for engaging said delivered -molds and loading them in serieson said return conveyor, and automatically operable means .disposed near said mold delivery endofthe return conveyor for returning empty moldstosaid fabricating machine.

3. Apparatus for making dinnerware comprising an automatic fabricating machine adapted to feed clay to molds delivered thereto and fabricate the clay thereon, a dryer'for dryingfabricated 'ware having a conveyor extending therethrough,

a transfer conveyor extending transversely of said dryer near its entrance end, means for transferring said molds from said machine to said transfer conveyor, mold pushing means periodically reciprocable in the direction of the'travel of said dryer conveyor for engaging a plurality of 'molds on said transfer conveyor and moving them onto said dryer conveyor in rows arra-nge'd transversely thereof, a mold return convey 1' eading :16 deed-clay to mo-ldsdeliveredtheretorand fabri- :Cauf V clay-thereon a dryer for drying fabrir lcated ware havingalconveyor extending theregthrough, a transfer -..conye yor extending trans.-

5 -versely ,of said dryer near its entrance -,end,

means for transferring ,said molds .from said machine to saidtransferconveyor, mold pushing means-periodically reciprocable in the direction of the l travel-roof said dryer lconveyor for engaging 1,0 1a ;plurality oi molds on said -transfer conveym and moving :themonto :said :dryer conveyor rrows arranged transversely thereof, ea mold return conveyor leading from a -mold-receiv-ing position near .the discharge end of said-dryer 1 sconveyor to :a mold-delivery position near :said

:fabricating imachine, tarsecond transferi conveyor lextending laterallyfrom-saiddryer conveyor for delivering said molds fromthe dryer .conveyortto a cpositionmear said- .mold-Freceiving end-pf said {5550 return aconveyor, a gravity conveyor extending -.bet-ween the-discharge end of the dryer; conveyor and saidf-secondtransfer conveyor, a barrier-for temporarily arresting the movement of a rowof F molds over' said gravity conveyor, a mold-puller fordrawing said arrested row onto said second transfer conveyor when said barrier -is withdrawn, 1 said 1-gravity conveyor 1 having a portion :thereof 1 in front? of said barrier DOs-itively driven at a "ratexof speed: greater than said dryer congg :veyor :for separating rows-ofamoi'ds :as they::are

discharged from :t-he zdryer conveyor, :arsecond -moldspushing means :lperiodically 'reciprocable toward said .mold-receivingendof .said return '.:conveyor1f or r engaging said molds; on said second ztransfer 'rconveyor andwloading them inseries on :said: return conveyor,:and automatically operable means disposed near said mold deliveryzendsof ithevreturn'zconveyor "for returning emptyimolds tosaids-fabricating machine. '5. Apparatus .for making :dinnerware comprisizin'g'an'antomatic fabricating machine adaptedto Iieed :zclay 'to :molads .ldeliveredthere-to and fabricate the :clayithereon, :a dryer for :drying: fabricated Aware having a TCGl'lVEYOI" extending there- 5 through, a Ltran'sfer conveyor :extending .trans- -verselyfofzsaid dryernear 'itstentranceend;.means for :transferrin'g:sai'd1lmoldsffrom "said i'machine 7.-tO'fS&ld transfer tconveyor; mold pushing. means '5 periodically reciprocablei'in the "direction of 'the from a mold-receiving position near the discharge '1Havel10Esaidr-zdryeuconveyor for engaging D end' of said dryer co'nveyorto a mold-delivery position near said'fabricating machine, a roller conveyor extending downwar ly" from the discharge end of said dryer conveyor, said roller conveyor :raiity softmolds .onrisaid transfer conveyor and -moving"them:onto said-dryer conveyor in rows aarranged transversely thereof, a mold return -:conveyor leading from a -m0l'd-receiving position having the roller adjacent said discharge endthe-discharge saiddryer' conveyor to driven at a faster rate .than'said dryer conveyor for separating the. rowsl'of molds astheyare discharged from said conveyor, asecond transfer :conveyor extending laterally from said dryer 0010- I veyor for delivering said moldsrfrcm the dryer conveyor to a position-near'said mold-receiving end of said return conveyor,1said roller conveyor extendingfrom the dryer conveyorto said. second transfer conveyor, asecond mold pushing means periodically reciprocable toward said mold-receiving end of the return conveycrfor engaging said delivered molds and loading them in series on said return conveyor, automatic means associatedwith said return conveyor fcrremoving said dried ware from the molds, and automatically operable'means disposed near said 'mold delivery end of the return conveyor for returning empty "molds to said fabricating machine.

4. Apparatus for making dinner-wareoomprising an automatic. f abricating-machine adapted to transfer: conveyor andiloading them in. series on :said:retnrncconveyor, :a. roller: conveyor '-.extend- -ingadoyvnvvardlytfrom'the discharge end of said fdryen conveyor-:toesaid second transfer conveyor, a barrier; for temporarily arresting movement of a row: :of 1 molds over. saidv gravity conveyor, said barrier extending approximately the width uof said rollericonveyor. and'xbeing adapted to heireciprocatedLupwardlyz and downwardly through-an adjacent :pair aof said 'rollers, isai'd "pair being 1 spaced topermit'said reciprocation,amoldrpuller 'for assuring delivery of a row of molds onto said second transfer conveyor, said roller conveyor having the roller adjacent to the discharge end of said dryer conveyor driven at a faster rate than said dryer conveyor for separating the rows of molds as they are dicharged from said conveyor, the operation of said barrier and puller being so co-ordinated with the rate of travel of said second transfer conveyor as to avoid delivery of a succeeding row of molds until the preceding row has been removed from said conveyor, and automatically operable means disposed near said mold delivery end of the return conveyor for returning empty molds to said fabricating machine.

6. Apparatus for making dinnerware compris ing an automatic fabricating machine adapted to feed clay to molds delivered thereto and fabricate the clay thereon, a dryer for drying fabricated ware having a conveyor extending therethrough,

tending transversely of said dryer near its entrance end, means for transferring said molds from said machine to said transfer conveyor, said means including an intermittently-driven mold conveyor extending in a substantially longitudi erations of said fabricating machine and said pusher arm and pushing means being recipro cated when said conveyor are stationary to efiect the said mold transfer, a mold return conveyor leading from a mold-receiving position near the discharge end of said dryer conveyor to a moldrdelivery position near said fabricating machine, an additional transfer conveyor extending later- ;ally from said dryer conveyor for delivering said molds from the dryer conveyor to a position near said mold-receiving end of said return'conveyor, :a second mold-pushing means periodically reciprocable toward said mold-receiving end of the return conveyor for engaging said delivered :molds and loading them in series on said return =conveyor, and automatically operable means disposed near said mold delivery end of the return conveyor for returning empty molds to said fabricating machine.

7. Apparatus for making dinnerware comprising an automatic fabricating machine adapted to feed clay to molds delivered thereto and fabricate the clay thereon, a dryer for drying fabricated ware having a conveyor extending therethrough, a transfer conveyor extending transversely of said dryer near its entrance end, means for transferring said molds from said machine to said transfer conveyor, mold pushing means periodically reciprocable in the direction of the travel of said dryer conveyor for engaging a plurality of molds on said transfer conveyor an intermittently driven transfer conveyor ex- 420 18 tently-driven second transfer conveyor extending laterally from said dryer conveyor for delivering said molds from the dryer conveyor to a position near said mold-receivingend of said return conveyor, a second mold-pushing means periodically reciprocable toward said mold-receiving end of the return conveyor for engaging said delivered molds and loading them in series on said return conveyor, and automatically operable mold-returning means disposed near said mold delivery end of the return conveyor for transferring empty molds to said fabricating machine, said intermittent return and second transfer conveyors being co-ordinated with the operation of said fabricating machine and both said second mold-pushingmeans and mold-returning means operating when said intermittent conveyors are stationary to effect the above-mentioned mold transfers.

8. Apparatus for making dinnerware comprising an automatic fabricating machine adapted to feed clay to molds delivered thereto and fabricate the clay thereon, a dryer for drying fabricated ware having a continuously driven conveyor extending therethrough, an intermittently-driven transfer conveyor extending transversely of said dryer near its entrance end, means for transferring said molds from said machine to said transfer conveyor, said'means including an intermittently-driven mold conveyor extending in a substantially longitudinal direction from said fabricating machine to a mold transfer point substantially in transverse alignment with said transverse transfer conveyor and a periodically reciprocable pusher arm disposed near said transfer point for engaging and moving said molds from said longitudinal to said transverse conveyor, mold pushing means periodically reciprocable in the direction of the travel of said dryer conveyor for engaging a plurality of molds on said transfer conveyor and moving them onto said dryer conveyor in rows arranged transversely thereof, an intermittently driven mold return conveyor leading from a mold-receiving position near the discharge end of said dryer conveyor to a molddelivery position near said fabricating machine, an intermittently driven second transfer conveyor extending laterally from said dryer conveyor for delivering said molds from the dryer conveyor to a position near said mold-receiving end of said return conveyor, a second mold-pushing means periodically reciprocable toward said mold-receiving end of the return conveyor for engaging said delivered molds and loading them in series on said return conveyor, and automatically operable mold-returning means disposed near said mold delivery end of the return conveyor for transferirng empty molds to said fabricating machine, said intermittently driven conveyors being co-ordinated with the operations of said fabricating machine, and each of said mold'pushers as well as said mold-returning means operating when said intermittent conveyors are stationary to effect the above-mentioned transfers.

9. Apparatus for making dinnerware comprising an automatic fabricating machine adapted to feed clay to molds delivered thereto and fabricate the clay thereon, a drive for effecting the various operations of said machine, a dryer for drying fabricated ware having a continuouslygem-2.94

mold-pushing means periodically rreciprocable in the direction of Lthe'travel of :said dryer nonveyor for engaging .a plurality of .molds on said transfer conveyor and moving them onto said ,dryer conveyor in rows arranged transversely thereof, an intermittently-driven mold .return conveyor leading from a mold-receivingposition near the discharge end of said dryer conveyor 'to 'a molddelivery position 'near :said fabricating machine, an intermittently=driven second transfer :con-

veyor extending laterally from said dryer ,con-

'veyor for delivering said molds ;from the :dryer conveyor to a position near said mold-receiving end of :said return conveyor, a second fluidoperated mold-pushing means periodically re- :ciprocable toward said mold-receiving end of the return conveyor :for engaging said delivered molds and loading them :in series ,on said return conveyor, automatically operable mold-returning .means disposed :nea-r said mold delivery end of the return conveyor .for transferring empty molds to :said fabricating machine, all of said conveyors being operatively connected to and con- :trolled by :said fabricating machine drive, and

timing mechanism for periodically reciprocating said mold-pushing means, said timing mechanism being mechanically connected to said machine drive and being pie-'set-soas to effect mold- =handling reciprocations of said pus-hing means :during ,periods of idleness of :said intermittent conveyors.

10. Apparatus for making dinnerware comprising an automatic fabricating machine adapted to feed clay to molds delivered thereto and fabricate the clay thereon, a drive for effecting the various operations of said machine, a dryer for drying fabricated ware having a continuously-driven conveyor extending therethrough, an intermittently-driven transfer conveyor extending transversely of said dryer near its entrance end, means for transferring said molds from said machine to :said transfer iconveyor, fluid-operated mold-pushing means periodically reciprocable to the direction of the travel of said dryer conveyor for engaging a plurality of molds .OIlSEtld transfer conveyor and moving them onto said dryer conveyor in rows arranged transversely thereof, an intermittentlydriven mold return conveyor leading from a 20 mold-receiving position near :the discharge end 'ofsaid dryerconveyor to aimold-ideliveryposition near fsaid fabricating machine, an intermittently- :drivensecond transfer conveyor extending laterally from said dryer conveyor for delivering said 1mo1ds from the dryer conveyor to a position near said mold-receiving end of said return conveyor, a gravity conveyor for moving said rows of'm'olds from said dryer conveyor :to said second transfer conveyor, a fluid-operated reciprocable bar- :rier movable into and away from mold-arresting positioniin said "gravity conveyor, afiuid-operated mold :puller, a second fluid-operated mold-pushing means periodically reciprocable toward said mold-receiving end of said return conveyor for engaging said delivered molds in .said second transfer .conveyor,and loading them in series on said ireturn :conv'eyor, automatically operable mold-returning means disposed near said mold delivery end of the return conveyor for transferringempty :mol'ds to said fabricating machine, said intermittent conveyors being operatively connected to and controlled by said fabricating machine drive, and a timer also operatively connected to and co-ordinated with said drive for efiecting mold-releasing movement of said barrier during periods :of idleness of :said second return conveyor and mold-handling movements .of said mold-pulling and pushing means during periods of idleness of said first transfer and said returnconveyors.

ALBERT J. WAHL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 915,545.? Biertuempfel Mar. 16, 1909 1,200,244 Sears Oct. 3, 1916 1,838,277 Miller Dec. 29, 1931 1,842,912 McNamara Jan. 26, 1932 1,906,786 Bowman et a1, May 2, 1933 2,046,525 Miller July 7, 1936 2,160,484 Miller May 30, 1939 "2,258,658 Miller Oct. 14, 1941 f 12,346,575 Hallowell, Jr Apr. 11, 1944 "2,409,172 Miller Oct. 8, .1946 

